elle341
I Am Mentally Fit!
Jun 14, 2009
I can't believe that I'm celebrating my 5 month anniversary already! I'm down 52 lbs so far but the most important thing that's happened in the last 5 months is that I've really truly learned that losing weight is a process. For me, it's 60% mental & 40% physical. I have learned to become mentally fit in order to get a jump start on my physical activities.
It took about 2 months post-op to prepare myself mentally to go on this journey in the healthy way. It wasn't easy in the beginning. I literally had to drag myself off of the sofa to go to the gym, even though I was losing 3-4 lbs a week. What got me through was mentally visualizing myself at the gym working out at maybe
a size 10. Then I told myself that the way to get there was to get my ass off of the sofa and get moving. I started out doing cardio for 15-20 minutes 3-4 days a wk, and strength training 2-3 days. Now, I'm either in the gym doing cardio 45-60 min. or riding my bike for 1 1/2 hours 6-7 days, and strength training 4 days. I am now a gym rat 
with so much energy.
The hardest part of this journey for me is eating. I've been good with the things that I know I will never eat again, like sweets that are high in sugar (>15gm). My problem/issue is that I always have to fight to get my 60gm of protein in. Usually I'm always forcing those 5-6gm at the end of the night so that I can hit my goal. Although I think I'm a "grown as woman" because I have mastered the mental aspect of this journey, I see that I still have a lot to learn about how to pace myself throughout the day so that I can get always reach my protein goal.
The journey continues...
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It took about 2 months post-op to prepare myself mentally to go on this journey in the healthy way. It wasn't easy in the beginning. I literally had to drag myself off of the sofa to go to the gym, even though I was losing 3-4 lbs a week. What got me through was mentally visualizing myself at the gym working out at maybe
a size 10. Then I told myself that the way to get there was to get my ass off of the sofa and get moving. I started out doing cardio for 15-20 minutes 3-4 days a wk, and strength training 2-3 days. Now, I'm either in the gym doing cardio 45-60 min. or riding my bike for 1 1/2 hours 6-7 days, and strength training 4 days. I am now a gym rat with so much energy. The hardest part of this journey for me is eating. I've been good with the things that I know I will never eat again, like sweets that are high in sugar (>15gm). My problem/issue is that I always have to fight to get my 60gm of protein in. Usually I'm always forcing those 5-6gm at the end of the night so that I can hit my goal. Although I think I'm a "grown as woman" because I have mastered the mental aspect of this journey, I see that I still have a lot to learn about how to pace myself throughout the day so that I can get always reach my protein goal.
The journey continues...
I'm now on the losing side!
Jan 18, 2009
January 14, 2009 will now and forever be "the first day of the rest of my life!" It was the start of a new beginning, and boy what a start it was... I went in the day of surgery hoping to have my RNY done laparoscopically, but only to find out close to 6 hrs. later that my surgeon had to do the open procedure due to too much scar tissue from previous surgeries. Yes, I woke up to a new scar starting at my breast bone all the way down to my naval, but it's done... it's over! Now, the hard part begins... I never imagined how hard it could be to get in all my liquids & proteins! I'm not even close to meeting my required amount, but with each day I promise myself to do better.
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One Week To Go...
Jan 06, 2009
I am one week away from my surgery and I wish I could say that I am feeling hmmm excited... nervous... or even overwhelmed. What I've been feeling for the past week is FRUSTRATION, because my surgeon's office is dragging their feet!!! 
I have not recieved my approval letter from the insurance co yet. I understand that we are coming off of the "X-Mas/ New Year's" celebration, and people are working slower than usual; but my God, be thankful that you have a job and get to work! I have no control over this matter, and it is driving me crazy. I called Blue Cross last week and was told that they didn't receive the paperwork yet. I called my surgeon's office yesterday and FINALLY spoke to his asst. She told me that she sent the paperwork over on Monday 1/5. OMG, I am up sh*#t's creek if the insurance reps move as slow as she does! Maybe it's me... Maybe the reason why I'm freaking out so much is because the only thing I can do proactively is make phone calls then sit back and wait for others to do their jobs.
Another thing that is stressing me out is that I'm not going on this journey alone. I have family and friends who is devoting next week to me. We have a plan but it can't be complete until this missing part of the puzzle is in place.
One week to go...
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excited... nervous... or even overwhelmed. What I've been feeling for the past week is FRUSTRATION, because my surgeon's office is dragging their feet!!! I have not recieved my approval letter from the insurance co yet. I understand that we are coming off of the "X-Mas/ New Year's" celebration, and people are working slower than usual; but my God, be thankful that you have a job and get to work! I have no control over this matter, and it is driving me crazy. I called Blue Cross last week and was told that they didn't receive the paperwork yet. I called my surgeon's office yesterday and FINALLY spoke to his asst. She told me that she sent the paperwork over on Monday 1/5. OMG, I am up sh*#t's creek if the insurance reps move as slow as she does! Maybe it's me... Maybe the reason why I'm freaking out so much is because the only thing I can do proactively is make phone calls then sit back and wait for others to do their jobs.Another thing that is stressing me out is that I'm not going on this journey alone. I have family and friends who is devoting next week to me. We have a plan but it can't be complete until this missing part of the puzzle is in place.
One week to go...
New Surgery Date!
Nov 12, 2008
Initially, I was scheduled to have my lap RNY surgery on 7/7/08, but I chickened out at the last minute. Actually, I told myself to try one last time to loose the weight through diet & exercise. Three months later I found that my weight continued to go up instead of down. My back started hurting more than ever b-4, and my legs began to give out on me. I decided at that point that the surgery was going to be my only salvation. I am now back on track (mentally), and I have a surgery date for Jan. 14, 2009. When I was first told of the date, I thought "it's no way I am going to do this the day after my birthday!" Then I thought, this will be my "new birth." The beginning of a new life... Yes I can...
Upper GI
Mar 28, 2008
Today, I went in for my UGI and all I can say is "Yuk!" Actually, the barium didn't taste as bad as it used to, but it was still BAD. I was feeling sad after the procedure because I have been doing so well making sure I eat a well balanced diet, and today I couldn't eat anything until the procedure was complete; which was about 11:30am. By that time I could have eaten any & everything in sight! On my drive home I kept telling myself "think healthy... think healthy," but as soon as I got near BK, the "little devil" on my shoulder was saying "burger & fries... burger & fries," and thats what I got. It tasted good, but I instantly felt guilty. The guilt turned to regret after I documented the total calories & nutritional values for a cheeseburger & fries. One meal cost me 910 calories! Wow...
That was then & this is now. Tomorrow I WILL do better...
Consultation with surgeon
Mar 26, 2008
Finally after a month of waiting, I finally saw Dr. Gary Korus for my initial consultation! I went in with loads of questions to ask him, but he answered the majority of them without me even asking. My main concerns were how long had he been doing WLS and what was the percentage of patients he's lost from the surgery.
I felt like a pro at having consults with surgeons, since he was the second one that I've seen in the past month. My first choice was Dr. Gail Wynn. She's a surgeon here in DE. She was highly recommended by my PCP, and I felt very comfortable with her during my visit. I found out at the end of that visit from her financial rep that the hospital she uses is a "in network" hospital with BCBS (Personal Choice) of PA, but she is an "out of network" surgeon for the WLS, and I would have to take out a $6000 loan to cover her fees. Oh, hell no! After all the research that I did checking on "in network" this, and "in network" that, I was not prepared to hear that!
I was in tears when I got home and called my sister. I felt so deflated. She's the one who referred me to Dr. Korus. She works at Penn Presbyterian Hospital, and a few of her patients and friends have chosen Dr. Korus to perform their WLS. Good enough for me, even if I do have to travel back & forth to Philly. It will be worth it.
Before leaving his office, I met with his nutritionist, I have an appointment for my UGI, lab work, sleep study & psych evaluation. Wow, it makes my head spin writing it down. Phew!
Talk to ya soon...
I felt like a pro at having consults with surgeons, since he was the second one that I've seen in the past month. My first choice was Dr. Gail Wynn. She's a surgeon here in DE. She was highly recommended by my PCP, and I felt very comfortable with her during my visit. I found out at the end of that visit from her financial rep that the hospital she uses is a "in network" hospital with BCBS (Personal Choice) of PA, but she is an "out of network" surgeon for the WLS, and I would have to take out a $6000 loan to cover her fees. Oh, hell no! After all the research that I did checking on "in network" this, and "in network" that, I was not prepared to hear that!
I was in tears when I got home and called my sister. I felt so deflated. She's the one who referred me to Dr. Korus. She works at Penn Presbyterian Hospital, and a few of her patients and friends have chosen Dr. Korus to perform their WLS. Good enough for me, even if I do have to travel back & forth to Philly. It will be worth it.
Before leaving his office, I met with his nutritionist, I have an appointment for my UGI, lab work, sleep study & psych evaluation. Wow, it makes my head spin writing it down. Phew!
Talk to ya soon...About Me
DE
Location
36.9
BMI
Surgery
01/14/2009
Surgery Date
Jan 29, 2008
Member Since
